People at work can suffer injuries or be taken ill. It doesn’t matter whether the
injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not, it is important to give them immediate attention and call an ambulance in serious cases. First aid at work covers the arrangements you should make to ensure this happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.

Q2: What do I need to do?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and people so your employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work.

What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in your workplace and you should assess what your first-aid needs are.

It is important to remember that accidents and illness can happen at any time. The first-aid provision needs to be available at all times people are at work.

Q3: What should I consider when assessing first-aid needs?

Some small workplaces may only need the minimum provision. But, there are factors that might mean you need greater provision.

Q4: What should I put in the first-aid box?

There is no mandatory list of items to put in a first-aid box. It depends on what you assess your needs to be.